Category: equine photography

It was my birthday yesterday. I was planning on getting out of the city, and was hoping to experience some high mountain air, see some snow and wild horses. I know.. high expectations. All my wishes came true, and then some.

I was going to take my daughter on this adventure, but mentioned my plans, and we got company. Which was absolutely wonderful, and I didn’t have to drive myself, and could enjoy the experience even more.

I wanted to go to Toiyabe National Forest, to the Spring Mountain area, because I knew that there’s several herds of wild horses roaming there. The chances of seeing some were pretty good. It also snowed there earlier this week 🙂 Being from the mountains in northern Sweden, I LOVE snow.

I apologize for this photo not being crystal clear, I was shooting towards a very bright sun. I was so surprised to see this unusual friendship between a young moose and a mustang foal.

This is right outside the small off-grid community of Cold Creek (NV.)

I’ve always been fascinated by eyes, and how loud they speak, if we are quiet enough to listen. They really are the eye of the soul. (LOVE my new telephoto zoom lens!!)

If I can have experiences like this, only an hour from home, I can handle living in the city a little longer. I don’t have words to describe what it does to my soul. I hope you can feel it by looking at the photos.

My daughter enjoying lunch, with a scenic view.

Without a doubt the best birthday so far in my life. I got so much more than all my wishes come true.

I’ve seen plenty of wild burros these past few weeks, but haven’t had the chance to actually capture them with my camera, until last night.

This is outside Indian Springs (NV.)

It was a magical day, filled with joy, laughter, love, photo opportunities to die for, fresh mountain air, snow, adventure, presents, and even a homemade cake and song. When I went to bed I was filled with an feeling of immense gratitude, and love in my heart. . and thank you everyone for all the birthday wishes on social media as well. I am so thankful for each and every one of you being a part of my life.

If I put a question mark after the statement in the title of this blog post. What would your answer be? What is our most valuable asset? What do we really need? If we have shelter, clean water, air to breath, food to eat – what else do we really need after that?

A post shared by MJ (@sagittariusviking) on Oct 20, 2018 at 7:29am PDT

My mom taught me that time is our most valuable asset. I believe that to be true, along with good health. Good health, so that we are able to enjoy that time. To be able to learn, thrive, give, live, and love. What do you think? The memories we make with our loved ones, the time we spend with them, there’s no price tag on that.

This morning as I was meditating over all the good things I’m grateful for, time with my daughter came up. It always does. I’m so eternally grateful for that little voice that told me work part time when your daughter is little, and spend as much time as you possibly can with her. I’m grateful for my moms example, that showed me what’s possible, and truly important.

My daughter is 6 years old, and in school now. She has her own connections, friends, interests, hobbies, and opinions. I know she won’t remember the 48 states we visited, all the adventures, the books we read, the conversations we had, the horses we rode, and experiences we shared during her first years. Deep down in her subconscious, I know it is making a difference in her life. It sure had a huge impact in my life, still does. I’m so much more humble, grateful, and thankful now. But being a single mom in a new country, also taught me to stand up for myself, on a completely different level.

I’ve started to put together a book for my daughter. It’s not a book I’m planning on publishing, for the public to read. It’s just my thoughts, and photos from our adventures. It starts right after her birth, and ends when she starts school. I’m hoping to have it in print for her this Christmas. Her first years was as far from traditional that one could have, and I don’t think she realizes that. I think she is big enough now to appreciate a collection of stories, and photos of her first years. I’m thinking that it might help her, maybe now, but also later in life, to understand who she is, and where she comes from. I’ve just started this project, but working with it fills me with gratitude.

I took the photo in the beginning at a 7000 acres ranch I worked at for almost a year, when she was 2-3 years old. It was in the middle of nowhere, in Nevada’s desert. We lived in a very comfortable RV, just my daughter and I. It was very peaceful. Once a week, or every ten days we drove in to town for supplies, and that was a big happening! Looking back at that time, I’m so happy we had it, challenges and all. I learned a lot about myself, what I’m capable of, and what I need, to be able to be my best. I felt that I had all the time in the world, to breath, to feel, to just listen to my daughter, and follow her explorations around the sage brush.

Just some thoughts for your Saturday 🙂 I hope you’re having an awesome weekend so far!

Since the Andalusian World Cup is taking place in Las Vegas this week, (starting today,) I thought it was only right to post some photos of Andalusian Horses, to get in the right state of mind.

Their beauty, and intelligence captured my heart as a little girl. These photos are taken with an old fashion film (yes!) camera, six years ago, during a visit to a breeding facility in Eastern Spain.

The photos are not edited. You can see all the mud. It was spring time. Despite the mud, a trained eye can easily see that these horses are really nice horses.

I’ve never had an Andalusian Horse in my stable. They usually comes with a very high price-tag. I almost bought a 3 year old Lusitano (from Portugal) once. The reason why I didn’t in the end, was that he was a little too desensitized.

Who knows, maybe my next horse will be a beautiful Andalusian Horse?

I am very attracted to intelligence, in people, and in animals. These magnificent creatures are extremely intelligent. I’ve spent a lot of time observing them, during some of my childhood summers in Spain.

On another note, have you ever used a film camera? I mean, the kind were you develop the negatives to get your photos? I loved my old Hasselbladh, that my grandma gave me. Probably not the easiest camera to learn with, but I sure loved it.

Looking back at these photos I am getting excited about seeing some pretty horses this week. I am working a full week as well, but I am definitely going to make some time to enjoy the party.